Irondequoit Bay fish die-off caused by disease

9:22 PM,
May 28, 2013

Large numbers of fish began dying in Irondequoit Bay in early May. On May 28, the state Department of Environmental Conservation said the die-off was due to viral hemorrhagic septicemia or VHS, an infectious fish virus.

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After saying the death of countless fish in Irondequoit Bay this spring was due to a natural seasonal phenomenon, New York environmental officials reversed course Tuesday and said an infectious fish disease is to blame.

The disease, known as viral hemorrhagic septicemia or VHS, does not pose a threat to humans or other mammals, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

But it has killed a large number of gizzard shad, white perch, yellow perch and drum in the bay, the DEC said in a statement. No mortality numbers were released, but from witness accounts, the number is ...